Overview
This lecture introduces the basics of sociological research methods, covering how to form questions, define concepts, create hypotheses, collect data, and analyze results using different methodologies.
Defining Research Questions and Concepts
- Sociological research begins with a clearly defined question.
- It is essential to define all key concepts to ensure shared understanding among researchers and their audience.
- Vague or undefined concepts can lead to inconsistent interpretations and results.
Hypotheses and Variables
- A hypothesis is a proposed relationship between two variables, typically in an "if-then" format.
- Variables are characteristics that can take on different values.
- Operationalizing a variable means specifying exactly how it will be measured.
- Measurement should be reliable (consistent) and valid (measures what it intends to measure).
Types of Variables
- Independent variable: the factor believed to cause change.
- Dependent variable: the factor affected by the independent variable.
- Avoid confusing correlation (variables moving together) with causation (one variable causing change in another).
Methods of Data Collection
- Experiments: controlled studies comparing control and experimental groups.
- Surveys: structured questionnaires given to samples representative of a larger population.
- Participant observation: researchers observe and interact with subjects in their natural environments, often resulting in ethnographies.
- Existing resources: analysis of previously collected data, often from large government datasets.
Research Ethics
- Sociologists must follow ethical guidelines, including obtaining informed consent and protecting subjects’ privacy and well-being.
- Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) oversee the ethical aspects of research.
Data Analysis and Theory Building
- Inductive reasoning builds theories from observations and data.
- Deductive reasoning uses existing theories to develop and test hypotheses.
- Both types of reasoning may be used in the same study.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Middle class — A social group; self-identification may not match sociological definitions.
- Research method — A systematic plan for gathering and analyzing observations.
- Concept — An abstract idea or category to be studied and defined clearly.
- Hypothesis — A testable prediction of a relationship between variables.
- Variable — A characteristic that can vary among subjects.
- Operationalize — To clearly define how a concept or variable will be measured.
- Reliability — Consistency in measurement across different instances.
- Validity — Accuracy in measuring what is intended.
- Correlation — When two variables move together but may not cause each other.
- Causation — When one variable directly causes a change in another.
- Independent variable — The presumed cause in a study.
- Dependent variable — The presumed effect in a study.
- Sample — A representative subset of a population.
- Participant observation — Research involving immersion in the subject’s environment.
- Ethnography — Detailed study and description of a group’s way of life.
- Institutional Review Board (IRB) — A committee ensuring research ethics.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review notes on research methods and complete any assigned readings from the textbook on research design.
- Practice identifying variables and formulating hypotheses from sample sociological questions.
- Prepare examples of how to operationalize key sociological concepts for class discussion.